Title: The Outsider
Author: Stephen King
Publication date: May 22, 2018
Genres: Horror fiction
Goodreads Description:
An unspeakable crime. A confounding investigation. At a time when the King brand has never been stronger, he has delivered one of his most unsettling and compulsively readable stories.
An eleven-year-old boy’s violated corpse is found in a town park. Eyewitnesses and fingerprints point unmistakably to one of Flint City’s most popular citizens. He is Terry Maitland, Little League coach, English teacher, husband, and father of two girls. Detective Ralph Anderson, whose son Maitland once coached, orders a quick and very public arrest. Maitland has an alibi, but Anderson and the district attorney soon add DNA evidence to go with the fingerprints and witnesses. Their case seems ironclad.
As the investigation expands and horrifying answers begin to emerge, King’s propulsive story kicks into high gear, generating strong tension and almost unbearable suspense. Terry Maitland seems like a nice guy, but is he wearing another face? When the answer comes, it will shock you as only Stephen King can.
My Thoughts
I decided to read The Outsider on a whim. I’m thrilled to say I was NOT disappointed. I found this book to be the right amount of description, but still leaving enough to the imagination. The hardest parts to stomach were the details about the boy’s murder, as they were somewhat triggering, but once I got through those portions, I was enveloped by the mystery. I found myself trying to figure out what the heck was happening. (I only partly figured it out before it was revealed.)
I liked reading from the different character perspectives, as it gave me a chance to see things from various eyes. King does a great job really getting into the heads of his characters and drawing from human emotion to drag his readers down his twisted paths.
The only area I wish was a bit more hearty was the ending. It felt a little rushed, but it was still really good.
Overall, I highly enjoyed this book. Well, “enjoyed” may be the wrong term here. I was fully immersed in the world King built for these characters, trudging along on the journey only he can plan as successfully as he has.
WHIMSICAL FANCY 